I've only listened to five minutes so far but let me go on record as saying: I also enjoyed Dark Tower more than It. I thought I was the only one in the world!
Excellent conversation! I've been looking forward to this show from the moment I walked out of the theater.
I was very skeptical of this movie. The trailers did nothing for me, I'm generally over scary clowns, and I've been burned by too many King adaptations. But IT won me over early and held me the whole time. More than anything it felt like a middle school NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET with a lower body count.
This thought is not original to me, and I can't remember where I heard it, but the Pennywise in this version feels alot more like a creature, the way it transforms and moves. Even the way it's face goes kind of blank in that first scene with Georgie, you get the feeling that there is something inhuman underneath. Whereas the Tim Curry's performance feels more like a guy playing a sadistic clown. I think both are good, just in different ways.
Fun show guys! I totally agree with the 2nd act criticism in that the structure gets incredibly repetitive, so much so that the scares sort of stopped working on me. I thought some of the images were really creepy and effective, but the structure was so that I saw everything coming a mile away and it never caught me off guard. I also have a very specific problem with some of the criticisms that Joe levels against IT, particularly when put side by side with his reaction to THE DARK TOWER, but I couldn't structure my post in a way that didn't just come off as me being an asshole. So instead of trying I'll just say that I disagree with most of Joe's opinions about IT, but think he's a super articulate and smart dude and he wrote literal books and I respect the hell out of that. Anyway, I was really hoping this show would drop this morning and was very glad to find it in my podcast inbox when I got up.
I think I definitely liked the film more than Joe, but I did get tripped up with the length/repetitiveness. If I look at my watch during a film that is meant to be a crowd pleaser then I feel something is off. I had a blast for an hour and forty-five minutes, to be sure.
I feel like I'm alone in not really liking the movie at all. From the long runtime, to the dialogue and laughable character decisions, nothing seemed to work for me. And, like Joe, a lot of the frantic editing and camera work, coupled with some CGI that I thought looked cheap, kept me from enjoying a lot of the "scare" scenes.
Sorry for sounding like an ass. I am glad that almost everyone I've talked to about it has enjoyed it. Maybe I'll see it again.
As I am not the father of a young child, I did not know how to react to Georgie's death. Thank goodness Joe was on hand to give his unique perspective as a parent.
/s, I know he didn't mean it that way, that it's just a pet peeve on my part, and that the problem is 100% me.
I saw IT twice this weekend. The first time I just had a great time with a fun horror movie that felt like a haunted house experience. The scare scenes reminded me of some of my all time favorite movies like Fright Night and Nightmare on Elm Street. There was so much fun and imagination. The second time I saw it I was really struck by how sweet and special and endearing the movie is. It really moved me. I love this movie a lot. It is very very special.
Dream casting for IT Chapter 2. Chapter 1 rules btw Ben - John Travolta Bev - Beyonce Bill - Kevin Costner Eddie - Al Pacino Mike - Sidney Poitier Richie - Lee Van Cleef Stan - Albert Brooks
Ben - John Travolta (good call) Bev - Susan Sarandon Bill - John Ritter Eddie - Guy Pearce Mike - Shaq Richie - Steve Carrell Stan - Albert Brooks (great call!)
Ben - Eddie Murphy Bev - Martin Lawrence Bill- Eddie Murphy Eddie - Martin Lawrence Mike - Martin Lawrence Richie - Eddie Murphy Stan - Michael Rapaport It - Stellan Skarsgard
Enjoyed IT quite a bit. I think it has some easy-to-find flaws (one of which I call out below), and it's not particularly scary, but it's fun for sure. The group of kids, Beverly and Richie specifically, were tremendous; the chemistry between them all was excellent. I liked the Pennywise portrayal, especially in the beginning.
I thought I was bringing no baggage to this film because I had not read the book, nor seen the miniseries, but I was wrong. My baggage came in the form of my love for the Elm Street movies and other 80s stuff like Stand By Me.
Minor Spoilers Ahead
The flaw that most bothers me is in regards to the bullies. The storyline with the bullies naturally ends with the outcome of the river fight. The bullies served their purpose in bringing the kids together against a common enemy and helping them start to understand the concept of strength in numbers/solidarity. There should have been no more bullies in the movie after that. The scenes we do get after that point are unnecessary, pulling focus off the main thread for a couple payoffs that aren't very satisfying and a bit cliche. Also, the late bully-related plot introduces a new character that we don't care about, and has no bearing on the results of the story. (last thing: creepiest thing in the movie was the librarian. Who's with me?! My wife didn't notice her.)
Just got back from a packed screening - went with my sister because the taped TV movie was on heavy rotation for a couple years growing up. I'm happy to say my love for the original remains untarnished AND I've got a brand new love for this adaptation. I thought it was great - took me a little while to get used to the new Pennywise, especially, I think, because his introduction so closely tracks the old version that it's hard not to compare, but beyond that I really had very little trouble watching it as a new, distinct thing. It totally justifies it's existence - as fond as I am of the original and as admirable a job I think they did making it within the confines of television - this is a superior adaptation.
And I don't know how you fellow horror fans haven't been LOSING YOUR MINDS at the suggestion that It isn't a horror movie. Donald Trump is a great president, climate change isn't happening and It isn't a horror movie - yeah, fuck off.
I haven't read the book or seen the miniseries in 15 years, so I was surprised how much of It came rushing back to me as I watched it. I liked It a lot, but didn't love it. For me, a lot of the horror elements didn't work as well as I wanted (and by that I don't mean they didn't scare me. That's a bonus when it happens, but not necessary for me). The opening scene with Georgie is a perfect example. Where it ends is great, but I didn't buy Skarsgard's performance--and that actually took me out of the movie for a little while. Still, enough of the set pieces were good and the kids were amazing, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
SPOILERS (maybe?): In the book, It takes the form of some movie monsters the kids are scared of. In the film, there is a marquee with A Nightmare on Elm Street 5. It's also produced by New Line. I half expected It to turn into Freddy when he rapidly shifts into all the kids' fears in the finale. The thought both excited and disgusted me. Just wanted to share that.
YeHhhhhh Monday podcast!!
ReplyDeleteI've only listened to five minutes so far but let me go on record as saying: I also enjoyed Dark Tower more than It. I thought I was the only one in the world!
ReplyDeleteExcellent conversation! I've been looking forward to this show from the moment I walked out of the theater.
ReplyDeleteI was very skeptical of this movie. The trailers did nothing for me, I'm generally over scary clowns, and I've been burned by too many King adaptations. But IT won me over early and held me the whole time. More than anything it felt like a middle school NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET with a lower body count.
This thought is not original to me, and I can't remember where I heard it, but the Pennywise in this version feels alot more like a creature, the way it transforms and moves. Even the way it's face goes kind of blank in that first scene with Georgie, you get the feeling that there is something inhuman underneath. Whereas the Tim Curry's performance feels more like a guy playing a sadistic clown. I think both are good, just in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with that. I love this version of Pennywise.
DeleteFun show guys! I totally agree with the 2nd act criticism in that the structure gets incredibly repetitive, so much so that the scares sort of stopped working on me. I thought some of the images were really creepy and effective, but the structure was so that I saw everything coming a mile away and it never caught me off guard. I also have a very specific problem with some of the criticisms that Joe levels against IT, particularly when put side by side with his reaction to THE DARK TOWER, but I couldn't structure my post in a way that didn't just come off as me being an asshole. So instead of trying I'll just say that I disagree with most of Joe's opinions about IT, but think he's a super articulate and smart dude and he wrote literal books and I respect the hell out of that. Anyway, I was really hoping this show would drop this morning and was very glad to find it in my podcast inbox when I got up.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to describe this movie, for anyone curious.
ReplyDeleteI think I definitely liked the film more than Joe, but I did get tripped up with the length/repetitiveness. If I look at my watch during a film that is meant to be a crowd pleaser then I feel something is off. I had a blast for an hour and forty-five minutes, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm alone in not really liking the movie at all. From the long runtime, to the dialogue and laughable character decisions, nothing seemed to work for me. And, like Joe, a lot of the frantic editing and camera work, coupled with some CGI that I thought looked cheap, kept me from enjoying a lot of the "scare" scenes.
ReplyDeleteSorry for sounding like an ass. I am glad that almost everyone I've talked to about it has enjoyed it. Maybe I'll see it again.
As I am not the father of a young child, I did not know how to react to Georgie's death. Thank goodness Joe was on hand to give his unique perspective as a parent.
ReplyDelete/s, I know he didn't mean it that way, that it's just a pet peeve on my part, and that the problem is 100% me.
I saw IT twice this weekend. The first time I just had a great time with a fun horror movie that felt like a haunted house experience. The scare scenes reminded me of some of my all time favorite movies like Fright Night and Nightmare on Elm Street. There was so much fun and imagination. The second time I saw it I was really struck by how sweet and special and endearing the movie is. It really moved me. I love this movie a lot. It is very very special.
ReplyDeleteSame. Had the same experience. I disagree so hard with Joe that this wasn't a confidently directed film. Can't wait to go back.
DeleteDream casting for IT Chapter 2. Chapter 1 rules btw
ReplyDeleteBen - John Travolta
Bev - Beyonce
Bill - Kevin Costner
Eddie - Al Pacino
Mike - Sidney Poitier
Richie - Lee Van Cleef
Stan - Albert Brooks
Riske, I'll play along ...
DeleteBen - John Travolta (good call)
Bev - Susan Sarandon
Bill - John Ritter
Eddie - Guy Pearce
Mike - Shaq
Richie - Steve Carrell
Stan - Albert Brooks (great call!)
Ben - Eddie Murphy
DeleteBev - Martin Lawrence
Bill- Eddie Murphy
Eddie - Martin Lawrence
Mike - Martin Lawrence
Richie - Eddie Murphy
Stan - Michael Rapaport
It - Stellan Skarsgard
Enjoyed IT quite a bit. I think it has some easy-to-find flaws (one of which I call out below), and it's not particularly scary, but it's fun for sure. The group of kids, Beverly and Richie specifically, were tremendous; the chemistry between them all was excellent. I liked the Pennywise portrayal, especially in the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was bringing no baggage to this film because I had not read the book, nor seen the miniseries, but I was wrong. My baggage came in the form of my love for the Elm Street movies and other 80s stuff like Stand By Me.
Minor Spoilers Ahead
The flaw that most bothers me is in regards to the bullies. The storyline with the bullies naturally ends with the outcome of the river fight. The bullies served their purpose in bringing the kids together against a common enemy and helping them start to understand the concept of strength in numbers/solidarity. There should have been no more bullies in the movie after that. The scenes we do get after that point are unnecessary, pulling focus off the main thread for a couple payoffs that aren't very satisfying and a bit cliche. Also, the late bully-related plot introduces a new character that we don't care about, and has no bearing on the results of the story. (last thing: creepiest thing in the movie was the librarian. Who's with me?! My wife didn't notice her.)
Completely agree with you about the librarian! I was a little bummed nothing happened with her though.
DeleteLibrarian was so creepy -- it was straight out of It Follows playbook
DeleteGreat episode as always. I think Joe completely misunderstood the new kids on the block joke.
ReplyDeleteYeahhhhh
DeleteJust got back from a packed screening - went with my sister because the taped TV movie was on heavy rotation for a couple years growing up. I'm happy to say my love for the original remains untarnished AND I've got a brand new love for this adaptation. I thought it was great - took me a little while to get used to the new Pennywise, especially, I think, because his introduction so closely tracks the old version that it's hard not to compare, but beyond that I really had very little trouble watching it as a new, distinct thing. It totally justifies it's existence - as fond as I am of the original and as admirable a job I think they did making it within the confines of television - this is a superior adaptation.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know how you fellow horror fans haven't been LOSING YOUR MINDS at the suggestion that It isn't a horror movie. Donald Trump is a great president, climate change isn't happening and It isn't a horror movie - yeah, fuck off.
Can't wait to listen to the podcast!
I haven't read the book or seen the miniseries in 15 years, so I was surprised how much of It came rushing back to me as I watched it.
ReplyDeleteI liked It a lot, but didn't love it. For me, a lot of the horror elements didn't work as well as I wanted (and by that I don't mean they didn't scare me. That's a bonus when it happens, but not necessary for me). The opening scene with Georgie is a perfect example. Where it ends is great, but I didn't buy Skarsgard's performance--and that actually took me out of the movie for a little while. Still, enough of the set pieces were good and the kids were amazing, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
SPOILERS (maybe?): In the book, It takes the form of some movie monsters the kids are scared of. In the film, there is a marquee with A Nightmare on Elm Street 5. It's also produced by New Line. I half expected It to turn into Freddy when he rapidly shifts into all the kids' fears in the finale. The thought both excited and disgusted me. Just wanted to share that.
The director said he thought about that, but in a nutshell felt the way you did. The whole quote is on JoBlo
DeleteWell, would you look at that! Maybe I could direct Chapter Two...
Delete